This is Eelco H. Dykstra, Chairman of the DIEM – Daily Impact Emergency Management, who will be presenting at Critical Infrastructure Protection & Resilience Europe in The Hague, Netherlands on Tuesday 2nd October on ‘From Risk to Resilience… Introducing the Nine Universal roadblocks (NUR) Model’.

Eelco H. Dykstra, M.D. has more than 25 years of international emergency management experience in Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and North America, both from a policy and practice perspective.

Since his return to his native country The Netherlands, he was appointed for a 4-year term as Member on the National Advisory Board for the Environment and Infrastructure in 2012 and served as convenor of a European Standardization working group (CEN TC 391: Societal and Citizen Security).

Eelco founded the international network organisation of cross-thinkers, DIEM (Daily Impact Emergency Management and would like to share his experiences with you.

The 11th Brunel International Lectureship 2016-2018 (Institution of Civil Engineers, London, (www.ice.org.uk) was entitled: “From Risk to Resilience…” and explored how professionals from Engineering and Emergency Management could work together to foster resilience of critical infrastructures in local communities/cities.

Twenty-five interactive lectures were delivered in the UK, Middle East, Africa and South-East Asia, where DIEM’s Nine Universal Roadblocks (NUR) Model™ was introduced – and the audiences were asked to prioritize them.

We will present the NUR Model and ask also this audience to prioritize the Nine Universal Roadblocks.

In addition we can offer an insight in the results of the 1100 responses collected from people around the world so far: what did they think the priorities are in terms of roadblocks that stand in the way of strengthening the resilience of critical infrastructure in local communities/cities? And where should we start to overcome – or bypass – them?

Eelco H. Dykstra, Founder/Director, Daily Impact Emergency Management

If you want to find out more, come and listen to Eelco Dystra at Critical Infrastructure Protection & Resilience Europe. To see who else is presenting at Critical Infrastructure Protection & Resilience Europe click here. You can also download the Preliminary Conference Guide (pdf) – click here.

Register online today you can benefit from the Early Bird savings on delegate fees. Click here to register online or visit www.cipre-expo.com/onlinereg.

We look forward to seeing you at the Critical Infrastructure Protection & Resilience Europe on 2nd-4th October 2018 in The Hague, Netherlands.

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The NHS cyberattack that hit hospitals across the UK is said to have been part of the biggest ransomware outbreak in history, according to Mikko Hypponen from F-Secure, and it could ramp up again this week as people return to work.

Hypponen said the Wanna Decryptor attack was unprecedented, while cyber security expert Varun Badwhar said it gave a glimpse of what a “cyber-apocalypse” would look like.

“We’ve never seen something spread this quickly in a 24-hour period across this many countries and continents,” explained Badwhar. “So it’s definitely one of those things we’ve always heard about that could happen and now we’re seeing it play out.”

The NHS hack was said to be “creeping” across the UK over the weekend with reports of the ransomware attack hitting a range of other organisations in as many as 99 countries. It then appeared to start slowing down on Saturday after a security researcher says he “accidentally” hit the kill switch on the ransomware.

Given the importance of critical infrastructure for a country’s prosperity and security and against the backdrop of increasingly diverse physical and cyber threats from terrorist groups, the United Nations Security Council underlined the need for international collaboration – both domestically and across borders – to ensure their protection.

In a resolution adopted unanimously the 15-member Security Council reiterated “the need to strengthen efforts to improve security and protection of particularly vulnerable targets, such as infrastructure and public places.”

Attacks against objects and sectors such as banking and finance, telecommunications, emergency services, air, maritime and rail transportation, and energy and water supply – perceived as ‘attractive targets’ for terrorist groups – can result not only in civilian casualties, but also damage property on a large scale, disrupt proper functioning of public services, and create chaos in societies.

It called upon UN Member States “to share information […] to prevent, protect, mitigate, investigate, respond to and recover from damage from terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure facilities, including through joint training, and use or establishment of relevant communication or emergency warning networks.”

The event is Europe’s leading conference where CIP professionals from across Europe and beyond will gather once again to discuss and collaborate on securing Europe’s critical national infrastructure.

The Preliminary Conference Programme and further event details can be downloaded at www.cipre-expo.com.

The event is supported by The Hague Security Delta, the Municipality of The Hague, the International Association of Critical Infrastructure Protection Professionals (IACIPP), Organisation for Security & Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Institution of Engineering & Technology, European Network for Cyber Security (ENCS), National Security & Resilience Consoirtium, Confederation of European Security Services, Security Partners Forum and International Security Industry Organisation.

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According to a report in the UK’s Sunday Telegraph, Britain’s airports and nuclear power stations have been told to tighten their defences against terrorist attacks in the face of increased threats to electronic security systems.

This comes as no surprise to those charged with securing critical infrastructure. Airports are constantly under threat but a successful attack on a nuclear power station is a threat of a whole new order. And targeting nuclear power is not just a threat, because we already have an example in last years foiled attempt to infiltrate Belgium’s Doel nuclear power plant.

Terrorists have the time, the resources and the element of surprise, when it comes to choosing a potential target. And when it comes to nuclear power, they only have to be successful once and they could devastate half of Europe for generations.

Also on the agenda will be convergence in CIP and CIIP, critical infrastructure interdependencies, public private partnership, successful risk management and resilience, transport and energy security & building in resilience and enhancing preparedness and response capabilities.

CIPRE has unique two-track conference programme delivered by a leading line up of international experts to discuss securing Europe’s critical infrastructure, from both physical and cyber perspectives.

Critical Infrastructure Protection
With much focus on convergence, the CIP track of the programme delivers discussions to review the potential threats to critical infrastructure, smart construction and building in security resilience, and a focus on ‘Transport, Energy & Telecomms Infrastructure’, three key elements of a countries economic activity.

Critical Information Infrastructure Protection (Cyber)
With the ever-increasing threat from cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, the information and data stored and used by CNI systems and operators can be more crucial than the system itself. CIIP is becoming ever more important as part of the cyber security strategy of an organisation or CNI operator.

Speakers confirmed include keynote presentations from Dr. Timo Hauschild, Head of CIP section of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), Germany and Colonel (GS) Wolfgang Paulik, Director of the Civil-Military Cooperation Centre of Excellence

Latest speakers also include:

Ms Michèle Coninsx, President, Eurojust

Per Brekke, Deputy Director, The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection

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Cyber Weapon Market is driven by rising demand for advanced cyber warfare techniques, North America leads the global cyber weapon market, cyber weapon market is attributed to increasing need for security in critical infrastructure and utilities including national defense system.

This press release was orginally distributed by SBWire

Identifying zero day vulnerabilities is of utmost importance for governments to prevent them from being used by extremist groups for infiltrating a nation’s critical infrastructure. This is a primary factor fuelling demand from the global cyber weapon market, states Transparency Market Research (TMR). Cyber weapons developed by hackers are aimed at exploiting confidentiality. However, depending on the method of use, they can be classified as either defensive or offensive cyber weapons. Both these market segments are presently gaining from the increasing demand for identifying zero-day vulnerabilities.

When used for offensive purposes cyber weapons can lead to mass destruction. Due to growing threats associated with cyber weapons, various international organizations have described them as malicious codes. Stringent regulations are thus being implemented to curb their use against the human race. This factor is likely to inhibit the market’s expansion to an extent. Nevertheless, in regions such as North America, governments are proactively investing in the development of advanced cyber weapons to protect their critical utilities. This will create new opportunities for growth for the market in the near future.

According to TMR, the global cyber weapon market was valued at US$390 bn in 2014. Exhibiting a CAGR of 4.4%, the market is expected to reach US$521.87 bn by the end of 2021.

Demand from Defensive Cyber Weapon Segment to Increase due to Rising Cases of Cyber Espionage

Based on type, the global cyber weapon market has been fragmented into defensive and offensive cyber weapon segments. In terms of revenue, the defensive cyber weapon held the larger share of 73.8% in the market in 2014. The increasing cases of cyber espionage have compelled governments and private organizations to focus on technologies to safeguard their critical infrastructure. Since information technology is integral to industries such as manufacturing, defense, and aerospace, they are more vulnerable to cyber thefts. The demand for defensive cyber weapons is therefore expected to continue to surge through the forecast period.

The offensive cyber weapons segment is currently at a premature stage. However, TMR expects the cyber weapons market to gradually shift from defensive to offensive weapons. Nations around the world are strengthening their offensive cyber capabilities due to the emergence of cyber as new platform for warfare. However political and legal issues associated with offensive cyber weapons have compelled governments to implement stringent regulations to ensure non-proliferation of offensive cyber weapons. This has a negative impact on the segment.

Rising Cyber Attacks Compelled Governments in North America to Invest in Cyber Weapons

From the geographical standpoint, North America dominated the global cyber weapons market with a share of 36% in 2014. TMR forecasts the region to maintain its dominance in the market through the forecast period. The Internet is the backbone of critical infrastructure such as industrial control, air traffic control systems, and military defense in the U.S. The country has witnessed several attacks on its critical infrastructure in the past. Its government is therefore investing in developing novel technologies to prevent future cyber-attacks on such critical utilities. Such developments will significantly aid the expansion of the cyber weapons market in North America.

In 2014, Asia Pacific was another key market for cyber weapons. The rising demand from countries such as India, China, North Korea, Australia, South Korea, and Japan will boost the cyber weapons sales in the region. Furthermore, the increasing investment by China in the development of advanced cyber warfare technique will significantly aid the market’s expansion in Asia Pacific.

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According to a new market research report “Critical Infrastructure Protection Market by Security Technology (Network, Physical, Radars, CBRNE, Vehicle Identification, Secure Communication, SCADA, Building Management), by Service, by Vertical & by Region – Global Forecast to 2021”, The critical infrastructure protection market size is estimated to grow from USD 102.47 Billion in 2016 to USD 144.82 Billion by 2021, at an estimated CAGR of 7.16% from 2016 to 2021.

Government regulations & practices and increasing number of cyber threats are driving the implementation of CIP solutions and technologies. Organizations, whether public or private, are adopting technologies to protect their critical infrastructure against malicious objects, make quick response to block suspicious activity, and safeguard both cyber & physical systems.

Physical security technology to play a key role in the critical infrastructure protection market

Physical security technology is expected to have the largest market share in the critical infrastructure protection market during the forecast period as threats to physical assets, incidence of terrorist attacks, and government regulations have made it mandatory. Also, there has been increased budget allocation to implement physical security systems and technologies to secure properties, resources, and society.

The sensitive infrastructure and enterprises vertical which includes Banking, Financial Services, & Insurance (BFSI), government facilities & defense establishments, stadiums, holy places & public places, communication systems, and chemical & manufacturing sectors is expected to contribute the largest market share in the critical infrastructure protection market. As these subsegments are major contributors to a nation’s infrastructures and the most critical assets present, the vertical has the largest share in the critical infrastructure protection market. The CIP solution allows such sensitive infrastructures to provide security and safety to their customers.

North America expected to contribute the largest market share; Middle East and Africa to grow the with the highest rate

North America is expected to hold the largest market share in the critical infrastructure protection market from 2016 to 2021, due to strong government regulations and best practices building many associations to take care of critical infrastructures, for example the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). Middle East and Africa is the fastest-growing region for the global critical infrastructure protection market due to growth in the number of sensitive infrastructures and organizations in the region. This in turn leads to high growth rate in security needs for their critical infrastructure so as to have resilience against cyber attacks or block unauthorized access and threats/attacks.

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A gun and bomb attack on Istanbul’s Ataturk airport has killed 41 people, at least 13 of them foreigners, and injured more than 230, officials say.
Three attackers arrived in a taxi and began firing at the terminal entrance late on Tuesday. They blew themselves up after police fired back.
PM Binali Yildirim said early signs pointed to so-called Islamic State but no-one has so far admitted the attack.
Recent bombings have been linked to either IS or Kurdish separatists.

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Dams are designed and built to withstand any natural disaster, but since Fukushima Europe’s researchers have been looking more closely into the risks for our vital installations.

Take a hydroelectric dam in Switzerland. It is 83 meters high and classed as “critical” infrastructure. In other words, it is essential for the proper functioning of society. It has been designed to be as safe as possible, with integrated security monitoring. This kind of large dam has never failed, but nonetheless zero risk does not exist.

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For some time, security experts have warned that critical services – for example, electricity and water supplies – can be attacked through cyberspace. The assumption is that such action requires sophisticated capabilities in cyber intelligence, technology, and operations, and possession of such capabilities is usually attributed to countries that have invested heavily in their development. Until now, even if in possession of such capabilities, most countries have shown restraint in using cyber tools to materially disrupt essential services and critical infrastructure in enemy countries. Events in Ukraine, however, question whether this assumption of restraint is still valid.

On December 23, 2015, malfunctions were reported in portions of the electrical network in western Ukraine, after the operations of 27 distribution stations and three power plants were disrupted, causing the electricity supply system to crash. Many homes were cut off from the network. This was not a routine power outage: the Ukrainian authorities believe that a cyber attack originating in Russia caused the malfunction, and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has blamed Russia specifically for the power outages.

It is difficult to prove with certainty who was behind the attack, but presumably the relevant authorities in Ukraine, with the help of Western agencies, will ultimately uncover the attacker’s identify. The Ministry of Energy in Kiev has appointed a committee to investigate the affair. Thus far assessments concerning the party responsible for the attack are based on forensic examinations carried out on the damaged computers, which indicates that components in them were previously used by Russian groups. Furthermore, not surprisingly the technological capabilities point to a Russian element.

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The U.K and Israel are to extend their co-operation in defending national infrastructure installations from cyber attack, the government has revealed.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Matt Hancock MP made the announcement this week during a visit to Israel, led by UK Israel Tech Hub, in which he said idea-sharing between academics from both countries would start this summer.

“The UK’s world-class companies and universities combined with Israel’s cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurial culture is an unbeatable combination,” said Hancock. “I welcome this opportunity to forge ever-closer links in the field of cyber security with our Israeli partners.”

Israel and the UK have dedicated more time and effort to countering the cyber threat in recent years, as countries’ critical infrastructure systems grow increasingly complex and interconnected, making them vulnerable to cyber attack.